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via Imago
(L) Lando Norris, (Middle) Zak Brown, (R) Oscar Piastri | Image Courtsey: Imago
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2023-08-29-at-12.24.25-PM.jpeg?width=600)
via Imago
(L) Lando Norris, (Middle) Zak Brown, (R) Oscar Piastri | Image Courtsey: Imago
Lando Norris has been linked to Red Bull for many months now. Zak Brown has had to come out many times to suggest that Norris isn’t going anywhere, but the rumors don’t seem to stop anytime soon. Lando Norris himself advised that he’d like to be Max Verstappen’s teammate. Amid all this, Zak brown shifts his focus toward the other driver and prioritizes Oscar Piastri‘s future at McLaren. What did Zak Brown and Piastri agree on?
McLaren has made many questionable decisions over the last year, including Piastri’s signing and the restructuring. Remember how many questions were raised around McLaren when they decided to let go of Daniel Ricciardo at the end of the season? And then fight with Alpine to sign Oscar Piastri. Many questioned whether going to such an extent for a rookie makes sense. However, it all made sense and came together once McLaren brought the upgraded McLaren.
He’s here to stay! 💪@OscarPiastri has signed a contract extension that will keep him at McLaren until at least 2026. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/uxoaiMNSTS
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 20, 2023
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During the initial 5 races, it’s always hard to gauge a rookie’s performance, especially if the car is bad. Nonetheless, within weeks of getting the upgraded McLaren, Oscar Piastri was on Lando Norris’ heels, if not ahead of him. Even the Brit praised the Australian and his talent. Keeping in mind Oscar Piastri’s amazing form, talent, and skill set, Mclaren recently announced that Oscar Piastri has signed a new contract with the team.
Read More: “He’s Going to Win”: F1 Journalist Picks McLaren’s Deadlock Breaker Between Piastri & Norris
Oscar Piastri already had a deal until the end of 2024, but the new contract extension will see the Australian race for McLaren until the end of the 2026 season. Zak Brown seems ecstatic about Piastri extending his contract. Let’s see what Brown has to say.
Oscar Piastri’s role crucial for McLaren’s turnaround–Zak Brown
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Lando Norris had on many occasions highlighted how Oscar Piastri’s feedback on the car is very similar to what the Briton’s feedback is like. This further helps the engineers to move in a single decided direction with fewer variables. Zak Brown, after announcing Piastri’s contract, advised on how the Australian has been crucial in McLaren’s turnaround.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-03-03T092651Z_52715712_UP1EJ330Q8P8O_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-BAHRAIN.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 3, 2023. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
According to McLaren.com, Zak Brown said, “I’m delighted to be continuing our partnership with Oscar through to the end of 2026. He’s an incredible talent and an asset to the team so it’s fantastic to be committing to each other in the long term. Oscar is already proving what he can do out on track and has been instrumental in the turnaround we’ve had so far this season. He’s fit into the team brilliantly and is really valued by the whole McLaren Racing family.”
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Watch this Story: Is Oscar Piastri Already Justifying His Talent By Performing Better Than Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren?
Do you think Oscar Piastri along with McLaren will once again be able to make the Papaya Team a constructors challenger?